Synthesis and antimalarial activities of 12 beta-allyldeoxoartemisinin and its derivatives.

Synthesis of 12 beta-allyldeoxoartemisinin from dihydroartemisinin and subsequent transformations to other 12 beta-alkyldeoxoartemisinins are described. All compounds were tested in vitro versus two drug-resistant strains (Plasmodium falciparum) of malaria. The in vivo activity and toxicity of the most active compound, 12 beta-propyldeoxoartemisinin, were comparable to that of arteether.